The Season! The Absolute Madness Of It!

Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanuka, Bah Humbug, whatever the Holiday whatever the season it's truly mad out there this time of year. People dashing and rushing along at a frenetic velocity.

This morning I pondered the shear madness of it all. I watched as crazy lunatics rushed around in the streets and drove like formula one racers. I clinched my steering wheel once as "Maria Gabriella Andretti" raced around my right side and darted in front of me only to slam on the breaks milliseconds later. I'm sure that I closed my eyes for a brief second and listened for the sound of scraping paint and bending metal that fortunately did not come - I'm certain in her haste, she would not have had the time to stop and swap insurance information. I slumbered along in my own little world and thought -

"What a life?"

When I was a kid, I couldn't wait for Christmas Day to arrive. It seemed like an eternity. The days would just drag on and on. Creeping along at a snails' pace until finally Santa came and all was good. Good, bad, or indifferent, my parents never seemed to be in quite the frenzied state that adults are in today. There were no cell phones, PDA's, Internets or cable TV's. All things that should or could make our lives more efficient and fulfilling - Right?

Still, they never seemed to run around like the maniacal shoppers do today. They socialized with friends and family and seemed to move along slowly at a procrastinated and more temperate pace. Did they really? Maybe it was just my perspective back then.

That's when the light bulb came on in my head! A literal Intrepid Ideas moment! It's all about your perspective!

So today I decided to deviate off the airways, taxi clear of the runway, exit the freeway, move through the bike lane, and dismount into the pedestrian path where I intend to stroll along and enjoy the Season at a more measured pace. In order to do this, I'll have to make some concessions. First, some things simply will not get done. So consciously, I'll have to decide what's really important and what can wait until January. Secondly, I'll have to be a lot more efficient. Better planning and better execution will free up some much needed extra time for me. Lastly, and most importantly, I'll be sure to change my perspective entirely! Instead of running around looking like a zombie in a shopping trance, I'll take a second to say Hello! Happy Holidays! Season's Greetings! Merry Christmas! I'll remember to say Thank You! Excuse Me! and Please!

I'll be moving along at my own pace in my own little world. By the way, there's lots of room here. And I invite each and every one of you to stop by the house and join me for some Holiday cheer. Tonight I'm serving hot cider and Manhattans.

We'll sit by the fireplace and eat cookies and talk about the old times.

Please stop by tonight!

(Because next week I'll be out doing my last minute shopping!) Stay Clear!


Season's Greetings!

From Intrepid